Hi!
Let's talk about the Real Nappies Snug Wraps this week because nappy covers are an important part of any reusable nappy system.
They keep everything in! And look cute while doing it!
Our soft Snug Wraps with their great water resistance, durability, ease of fitting and washing; have been said to be "bombproof". I'm sure that means poo-bombproof 😄
In this blog post, let's have a look at their features, how to use them, and the advantages and disadvantages they offer.
✨ Understanding Snug Wrap Nappy Covers ✨
Real Nappies Snug Wrap nappy covers (let's just say Snug Wraps) are designed to be used as the water-resistant part of a reusable nappy system - so the inserts absorb the pee and the poo; and the Snug Wrap keeps it all in for as long as possible before moisture eventually seeps through the material or weak points such as stitching holes.
Nappy covers are not totally waterproof, or they would feel more like PVC thick plastic! And they would not be comfortable for babies to wear with no breathability.
Tip#1: there are currently no nappy covers that can claim to be fully waterproof. For all of them the moisture will eventually seep through the material or any weaker points like the stitching.
The Snug Wraps are made of PUL (Polyurethane Laminate) which has been heat bonded. The material has been carefully sewn into a shape which will fit babies comfortably and allow for inside space for inserts to be added. This design allows for a variety of insert types that can be used inside the Snug Wraps.
Tip#2: Types of inserts that can be used inside Snug Wraps: flat nappies, terry cloths, preflats, prefolds, fitted nappies or also the pad type of inserts. That's all the types of inserts really!
Snug Wraps come in 4 sizes (Newborn, Infant, Crawler, Toddler) so that they properly fit babies of all shapes and sizes comfortably and YOU as a parent don't need to figure out how to fit the nappy.
📢 How to Use the Snug Wraps 💚
Using the Snug Wraps is super easy. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Preparing Snug Wraps: No prep needed! They are ready to go but if you prefer give them one short wash before first use.
2. Choose the right size Snug Wrap and Prefold combo for your baby's age/weight: this will be shown on the label. Some babies can get away with using a Snug Wrap either a size above or below depending on output and baby's body shape. This is something we learn as parents by observing our babies. The next size up Snug Wrap can be used for night-time use or times of the day when baby has more output.
3. Folding your Prefold nappy insert: There are several folding techniques to suit different stages and needs. Check out the "How to..." page for videos.
A common fold for newborn and infants is the simple "Liquid Poo fold", this fold works great without a Snappi nappy fastener but can also be used with one.
Other common folds include the "boy" and "girl" folds which are simple to do and hold up well without a nappy fastener.
Tip#3: Use the Boy fold for any baby that sleeps on their tummy once they start rolling. This places more absorbency at the front of the nappy to help catch the urine where it is needed most!
4. Placing in the Snug Wrap and secure with the velcro tabs: Place the Prefold inside the Real Nappies Snug Wraps. An optional Real Nappies Bioliners may be used on top of the Prefold (check out Tip#8).
Ensure the insert is all contained within the cover to prevent leaks.
5. Washing
Refer to the Care Instructions for details on how to wash your Real Nappies.
Keep your nappies smell-free, stain-free and clean in 5 easy steps:
- Choose an effective detergent - not all are created equal!
- Remove and rinse soiling - once baby is eating solids
- Prewash cycle
- Main wash cycle
- Dry - either line dry or in the drier on LOW heat.
Tip#4: Modern cloth nappies do not need soaking prior to washing. So leave the work to the washing machine!
Tip#5: Real Nappies Snug Wraps are so easy to get clean that most of the time they only really need one wash! So either put them in the prewash cycle (having no absorbency they will wash and get rinsed clean) or put them in the main wash cycle only.
✨ Advantages of Snug Wraps ✨
- Cost-effective: Snug Wraps are generally more affordable than all-in-one or pocket nappies because of the simpler manufacturing steps, making them an economical choice for families.
- Customizable absorbency: The ability to use any inserts inside the Snug Wraps allows you to customize the level of absorbency based on your baby's needs or to use inserts you might already have in your stash of nappies.
- Use them more than once: because they are in 2 parts, All-In-2 nappies such as Real Nappies have the ability for only the insert to be changed and the Snug Wrap reused if it is still clean and dry.
- No prep: they do not require prepping before putting on baby. Pop the insert on top and put on baby. For example, pocket nappies need to be assembled in advance of changing baby.
- Durable: Snug Wraps are known for their durability, lasting through multiple children as long as they are cleaned and looked after appropriately. At the end of their life they can be repurposed as swim nappies.
- Easy to wash effectively: because they have no absorbency or liner to them, it is easier to get them clean and get all the urine and poo off the fabric.
- Quick drying: Snug Wraps dry faster than other types of nappies due to their design and having no absorbency.
Tip#6: Any brand of nappy covers that have lose elastics or started delaminating can be used as swim nappies as long as they can still seal around baby's bottom. Swim nappies only need to contain poo.
Tip#7: If the Snug Wrap is still clean and dry, the Prefold can be removed and a new one put in. So the same cover may be used 2 or sometimes 3 times, helping to reduce the amount of washing. It also means that you need to buy less nappy covers! Yay!
🚫 Disadvantages of Snug Wraps 👀
- Stay-dry layer: Snug Wraps don't have an in-built stay-dry layer such as in pocket nappies (that is the extra fabric that creates the pocket). A stay-dry layer is not a must-have, but it can also be added as a separate insert on top of the Prefold if you want to have one. The Real Nappies Bioliners are a stay-dry layer that can be added as an option.
- Sized: At Real Nappies we know sized nappies are the best to get a great fit. So we don't think it is a disadvantage but I was struggling to find another disadvantage 😄
Tip#8: Real Nappies Bioliners are great to provide a stay-dry layer or when using nappy rash cream to help the cream stay on baby's bottom and delay it being absorbed on the Prefold. These liners also help once baby is eating solid food to make the poo clean up easier prior to washing.
Summary
Real Nappies Snug Wraps are awesome! They offer a cost-effective, versatile, and quick-drying approach to reusable nappies. While Snug Wraps may have some drawbacks, their numerous advantages make them a compelling choice for those looking to embrace a pure and simple to use, reusable nappy solution.
Here is a photo of my little one with her Real Nappies covered bottom:
